Paulding DA Addresses Misinformation in Kenneth Dewayne Wiggins Case
The Paulding Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, led by Robert S. Lane, has released a detailed statement addressing misinformation surrounding State of Georgia v. Kenneth Dewayne Wiggins. The DA urged the public to refrain from spreading false statements, emphasizing that speculation only harms the victim, a 16-year-old girl who courageously reported the crime.
Case Background and Arrest
According to the DA’s office, Wiggins committed the offenses of False Imprisonment and Sexual Battery against the minor on November 2, 2022. He was arrested on November 10, 2022, by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and charged with:
- False Imprisonment (Felony)
- Three counts of Sexual Battery (Misdemeanor)
The Sheriff’s Office completed its investigation by November 16, 2022, and transferred the case to the DA’s office for prosecution. A Grand Jury indicted Wiggins on June 7, 2023, on the same charges.
Plea Agreement and Sentencing
On October 7, 2024, Wiggins’ jury trial was postponed due to a negotiated plea agreement. Prosecutors consulted the victim, and the decision was made to avoid putting her through a public trial and the potential for online harassment.
On February 3, 2025, Wiggins was sentenced to:
- False Imprisonment (Felony): 5 years, with 30 days to be served in confinement and a $2,750 fine.
- Sexual Battery (Misdemeanor): 12 months probation.
- Two additional Sexual Battery charges were merged into the first by operation of law, as they stemmed from the same act.
Legal Clarifications
The DA’s office cited Georgia law to explain why Wiggins was not required to register as a sex offender. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-1-12, an individual convicted of Sexual Battery is only required to register if they have a prior conviction for the same offense.
Additionally, the DA’s office stated that law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence of additional victims. The case was prosecuted based on the facts and the charges supported by the evidence.
DA’s Statement on Public Misinformation
District Attorney Robert S. Lane emphasized his responsibility to uphold the law without fear or favor and cautioned against online speculation that could retraumatize victims.
“The oath of every district attorney, and their lawfully appointed deputies, contains the same passage that they solemnly swear ‘to effectuate the duties of their office without fear, favor or affection,’” Lane stated. “That is the oath I took on September 3, 2024, and that is an oath I will uphold for the entirety of my service to the citizens of our great state.”
The DA’s office urged the public to rely on official sources for case information and to avoid sharing unverified claims that could harm the victim or the integrity of the legal process.
